The Tension between Race and Faith: Ben Lindsay
In this week’s episode of The Magnify Podcast, we spoke to Ben Lindsay, author of ‘Why We Need to Talk about Race’, founder of ‘Power the Fight’ and pastor in London. He spoke to us about the whitewashing of Christianity and how we can be having healthy conversations about race. Here is a review highlight from the conversation.
Christianity is not a white man’s religion
Throughout history we have seen how whitewashed Christianity has become. We need to be educating ourselves on the actual history and origins of the Bible and the early missionaries. As it is there that we will understand the truth of where the church started and who was following it.
‘We are all under the blood of christ and it’s his blood that unites us.’
This is not a reflection of God
It's important to remember that even though this world is broken and the hearts of people are corrupt. God isn’t. His heart is one that shows no favouritism and no partiality. He came for all and made us different intentionally and for a purpose.
Speak Up
When injustices take place or members of authority and power in this country say and do things that diminish the existence of a people group, church leaders and those in authority in a community have a responsibility to speak up against this view. As when you don’t call this stuff out it is showing and coming across that you don’t really care or even that you may agree with this view.
‘How are you going to be anti-racist behind closed doors?’
Representation
It’s important to be honest about the church’s history as well as the UK’s. If we look at the shows we watch and that are mainstream, we can see that the black characters often follow the same narrative. Therefore portraying a narrative that all black people and their experiences are the same. This has contributed to the stereotypes that have then been created and that many follow.
Words By
Priya Raheja
